Instead of Norton

On Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:11:48 -0400, "MikeG"
wrote:

> Hi: In another Group, Vista, It was strongly suggested that I get rid of my
> "Norton Internet Security" program, get it off my machine, and I did.
>
> Do you have any suggestions for another security program or should I just
> use the windows firewall that comes with XP?


You need *three* kinds of security software to protect you: a
firewall, and anti-virus program, and at least two anti-spyware
programs.

The Windows firewall, or any other firewall, is *not* good enough.

I recommend the free Avast antivirus. For anti-spyware, I recommend
Spyware Blaster, Spybot Search and Destroy, and Adaware, all free.


--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
 >> Stay informed about: Instead of Norton 

Yes, I have all of them installed. I was hoping there would be some program
that would prevent an infection to begin with...but I guess the anti-virus
will stop an infection. The spyware gets rid of the spyware thats on the
machine, but I need a preventive to keep it from getting on the machine to
begin with...some sort of innoculant...? Mike
"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote in message

> On Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:11:48 -0400, "MikeG"
> wrote:
>
>> Hi: In another Group, Vista, It was strongly suggested that I get rid of
>> my
>> "Norton Internet Security" program, get it off my machine, and I did.
>>
>> Do you have any suggestions for another security program or should I just
>> use the windows firewall that comes with XP?
>
>
> You need *three* kinds of security software to protect you: a
> firewall, and anti-virus program, and at least two anti-spyware
> programs.
>
> The Windows firewall, or any other firewall, is *not* good enough.
>
> I recommend the free Avast antivirus. For anti-spyware, I recommend
> Spyware Blaster, Spybot Search and Destroy, and Adaware, all free.
>
>
> --
> Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User
> Please Reply to the Newsgroup
 >> Stay informed about: Instead of Norton 

Yes, I have AVG installed and updated.
"Jim" wrote in message

>
> "MikeG" wrote in message
>
>> Hi: In another Group, Vista, It was strongly suggested that I get rid of
>> my "Norton Internet Security" program, get it off my machine, and I did.
>>
>> Do you have any suggestions for another security program or should I just
>> use the windows firewall that comes with XP?
>>
>> Many thanks...Mike
>>
> You definitely should have some kind of anti-virus program. A firewall is
> not that type of program.
>
> A V suggestions include
> Kaspersky
> Nod32
> Avast
> AVG
>
> Firewall suggestions include
> Zone Alarm
> Comodo
> Windows Firewall
>
> You should also run SpyBot Search & Destroy and Ad aware. These two catch
> things that the A V programs don't and vice versa.
>
> Jim
>
 >> Stay informed about: Instead of Norton 

Uhh...
What's wrong with Norton?
I tested it via grc.com and it's bullet proof. I've had it for 5 years and
never had a problem, not one virus, not one intrusion.

What's the deal? Windows is full of security holes, how could Windows
Firewall be any better?


"MikeG" wrote in message

> Hi: In another Group, Vista, It was strongly suggested that I get rid of
> my "Norton Internet Security" program, get it off my machine, and I did.
>
> Do you have any suggestions for another security program or should I just
> use the windows firewall that comes with XP?
>
> Many thanks...Mike
>
 >> Stay informed about: Instead of Norton 

There was universal opposition to Norton anything in the Vista Group...I'm
ignorant of the whole thing. I paid Dell $80.00 for Norton Internet Security
program. I can tell you that once I uninstalled Norton, the machine ran a
heck of a lot faster. Mike
"Jim" wrote in message

> Uhh...
> What's wrong with Norton?
> I tested it via grc.com and it's bullet proof. I've had it for 5 years and
> never had a problem, not one virus, not one intrusion.
>
> What's the deal? Windows is full of security holes, how could Windows
> Firewall be any better?
>
>
> "MikeG" wrote in message
>
>> Hi: In another Group, Vista, It was strongly suggested that I get rid of
>> my "Norton Internet Security" program, get it off my machine, and I did.
>>
>> Do you have any suggestions for another security program or should I just
>> use the windows firewall that comes with XP?
>>
>> Many thanks...Mike
>>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Instead of Norton 

"how could Windows Firewall be any better?"
NAV and the Windows Firewall are not comparable.
One is a firewall while the other an anti virus.
Both types of protection are needed on computers.
Additionally one or more spyware programs are needed as well.

Get rid of Norton and try AVG Free or one of the other good anti virus
programs.
No one said Norton is bad at protecting against viruses, but Norton is
bad with computer resources.

Have you ever considered getting more memory for your computer.
Without Norton, you will probably get the boost with out the expense.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"Jim" wrote in message

> Uhh...
> What's wrong with Norton?
> I tested it via grc.com and it's bullet proof. I've had it for 5
> years and never had a problem, not one virus, not one intrusion.
>
> What's the deal? Windows is full of security holes, how could
> Windows Firewall be any better?
 >> Stay informed about: Instead of Norton 

MikeG wrote:

> Mike "Ken Blake, MVP" wrote in
> message
>> On Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:11:48 -0400, "MikeG"
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi: In another Group, Vista, It was strongly suggested that I get
>>> rid of my
>>> "Norton Internet Security" program, get it off my machine, and I
>>> did.
>>>
>>> Do you have any suggestions for another security program or should
>>> I just use the windows firewall that comes with XP?
>>
>>
>> You need *three* kinds of security software to protect you: a
>> firewall, and anti-virus program, and at least two anti-spyware
>> programs.
>>
>> The Windows firewall, or any other firewall, is *not* good enough.
>>
>> I recommend the free Avast antivirus. For anti-spyware, I recommend
>> Spyware Blaster, Spybot Search and Destroy, and Adaware, all free.
>
> Yes, I have all of them installed. I was hoping there would be some
> program that would prevent an infection to begin with...but I guess
> the anti-virus will stop an infection. The spyware gets rid of the
> spyware thats on the machine, but I need a preventive to keep it from
> getting on the machine to begin with...some sort of innoculant...?

SpywareBlaster *does* prevent spyware!

See http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

(You said you "have all of them installed." Are you sure?)

But the best program, seriously, is the one that resides in your head.
Don't visit dodgy Web sites. Don't open attachments unless you are
expecting them, and you *still* may want to scan them first.

Further reading:

http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=279

http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html

HTH.

P.S. I also noticed you didn't munge your e-mail address. This greatly
increases the amount of spam you get as well as phishing scams. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Address_munging
 >> Stay informed about: Instead of Norton 

And you'll let us know if your computer runs faster with these other
protective programs, right?

I just have to wonder if the opposition you are hearing isn't just anti
Norton, Pro Microsoft stuff.


> There was universal opposition to Norton anything in the Vista Group...I'm
> ignorant of the whole thing. I paid Dell $80.00 for Norton Internet
> Security program. I can tell you that once I uninstalled Norton, the
> machine ran a heck of a lot faster. Mike
> "Jim" wrote in message

<snip>
 >> Stay informed about: Instead of Norton 

Except for One Care, there is nothing Microsoft has that as an anti
virus.
Most recommend AVG Free, Avast, Nod32, Kaspersky and a few others.
Few if any recommend One Care as a solution.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"Jim" wrote in message

> And you'll let us know if your computer runs faster with these other
> protective programs, right?
>
> I just have to wonder if the opposition you are hearing isn't just
> anti Norton, Pro Microsoft stuff.
>
>
>> There was universal opposition to Norton anything in the Vista
>> Group...I'm ignorant of the whole thing. I paid Dell $80.00 for
>> Norton Internet Security program. I can tell you that once I
>> uninstalled Norton, the machine ran a heck of a lot faster. Mike
>> "Jim" wrote in message
>
> <snip>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Instead of Norton 

Most people recommend ZoneAlarm free firewall, and AVG free anti-virus.

Both seem reasonably well behaved, to me.

I should say that over years since 1996 I've never had any virus detected, so
the utility of it may depend on what sort of web habits you have.

I hardly download anything, and read mail only online (not downloading it as mail).
I'm mostly click-averse, I guess.
--
rhhardin.DeleteThis@mindspring.com

On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.
 >> Stay informed about: Instead of Norton 

"Gerry" wrote in message

> Daave
>
> How do you know a web site is "dodgy" before you view it? You would
> also need an encyclopaedic memory to implement that part of your
> strategy! Of course if you know a site is "dodgy" it is sensible not
> to play with fire.

While it's impossible to know every single dodgy Web site, what I was
referring to was exercising common sense and avoiding sites that offer
free MP3s, porn, etc.
 >> Stay informed about: Instead of Norton 

Daave

How do you know a web site is "dodgy" before you view it? You would also
need an encyclopaedic memory to implement that part of your strategy! Of
course if you know a site is "dodgy" it is sensible not to play with
fire.

--
Regards.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Daave wrote:
> MikeG wrote:
>
>> Mike "Ken Blake, MVP" wrote in
>> message
>>> On Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:11:48 -0400, "MikeG"
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi: In another Group, Vista, It was strongly suggested that I get
>>>> rid of my
>>>> "Norton Internet Security" program, get it off my machine, and I
>>>> did.
>>>>
>>>> Do you have any suggestions for another security program or should
>>>> I just use the windows firewall that comes with XP?
>>>
>>>
>>> You need *three* kinds of security software to protect you: a
>>> firewall, and anti-virus program, and at least two anti-spyware
>>> programs.
>>>
>>> The Windows firewall, or any other firewall, is *not* good enough.
>>>
>>> I recommend the free Avast antivirus. For anti-spyware, I recommend
>>> Spyware Blaster, Spybot Search and Destroy, and Adaware, all free.
>>
>> Yes, I have all of them installed. I was hoping there would be some
>> program that would prevent an infection to begin with...but I guess
>> the anti-virus will stop an infection. The spyware gets rid of the
>> spyware thats on the machine, but I need a preventive to keep it from
>> getting on the machine to begin with...some sort of innoculant...?
>
> SpywareBlaster *does* prevent spyware!
>
> See http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
>
> (You said you "have all of them installed." Are you sure?)
>
> But the best program, seriously, is the one that resides in your head.
> Don't visit dodgy Web sites. Don't open attachments unless you are
> expecting them, and you *still* may want to scan them first.
>
> Further reading:
>
> http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=279
>
> http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html
>
> HTH.
>
> P.S. I also noticed you didn't munge your e-mail address. This greatly
> increases the amount of spam you get as well as phishing scams. See
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Address_munging
 >> Stay informed about: Instead of Norton 

Windows Defender is OK but I always have doubts about composite
solutions like One Care.

Norton buys up market leaders and then does no further development work
on the product. A few years down the line drops the product from the
product range. WinFax Pro is the latest casualty. My guess is Partition
Magic will be the next. It also produces disasters like Crashguard.

A good motto. Keep things simple and do them well.


--
Regards.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jupiter Jones [MVP] wrote:
> Except for One Care, there is nothing Microsoft has that as an anti
> virus.
> Most recommend AVG Free, Avast, Nod32, Kaspersky and a few others.
> Few if any recommend One Care as a solution.
>
>
> "Jim" wrote in message
>
>> And you'll let us know if your computer runs faster with these other
>> protective programs, right?
>>
>> I just have to wonder if the opposition you are hearing isn't just
>> anti Norton, Pro Microsoft stuff.
>>
>>
>>> There was universal opposition to Norton anything in the Vista
>>> Group...I'm ignorant of the whole thing. I paid Dell $80.00 for
>>> Norton Internet Security program. I can tell you that once I
>>> uninstalled Norton, the machine ran a heck of a lot faster. Mike
>>> "Jim" wrote in message
>>
>> <snip>
 >> Stay informed about: Instead of Norton